cannot

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cannot" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express something that is impossible or prohibited. Example sentence: Due to the lack of resources, I cannot finish the project by the deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Determining where this capital is spent needs to be an important issue for investors, otherwise there is going to be a lot of capital wasted in coming years on developing fossil fuel reserves that cannot be burned".

The Guardian

"Let us assure you that the Government will do all we can to defeat the voices of division, but ultimately the challenges of integration and radicalisation cannot be solved from Whitehall alone.

The Guardian

Being able to live in a stable home is a basic human need, tied up with important feelings of choice and certainty, and we are living in a world now where only a few can hope for that, which cannot be right".

The Guardian - Business

It cannot.

The New York Times

Nasdaq's rules state broadly that independent directors cannot have a relationship that "would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director".

The New York Times

Annalisa regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In what appeared to be pointed criticism of increasingly firm rhetoric from Cameron on multinational tax engineering, Carr insisted tax avoidance "cannot be about morality – there are no absolutes".

The Guardian - Tech

Given the huge waste and poor productivity in the public services, there is no a priori reason why these cuts cannot be covered by public spending savings, as Osborne argued.

The Guardian

We regret we cannot offer refunds where we have to change tutors or venues.

The Guardian

Truth is coming, and it cannot be stopped.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, that cannot in any way spoil my pleasure in being here today".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot" to clearly and directly express an inability or prohibition. This contraction is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing clarity and conciseness.

Common error

Be mindful of splitting "cannot" into "can not", especially in formal writing. While technically not incorrect, "cannot" is generally preferred for expressing inability or prohibition as a single concept.

Linguistic Context

"Cannot" functions as a modal verb expressing negation of ability, possibility, or permission. It modifies another verb to indicate that an action is not possible or allowed. Ludwig examples demonstrate this across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot" is a very common and grammatically correct way to express inability or prohibition. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for expressing impossibility or prohibition. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When looking for alternatives, consider phrases like "is not able to" or "must not" to convey similar meanings. Remember to use "cannot" instead of splitting it into "can not" for conciseness. By understanding its function and appropriate usage, writers can effectively convey limitations and prohibitions in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can't

Contraction of "cannot", less formal.

is unable to

Synonymous with "is not able to", offering a slightly more sophisticated tone.

is not able to

More formal and verbose alternative to "cannot".

is impossible to

Emphasizes the impossibility aspect more strongly.

is not permitted to

Formally conveys a lack of permission.

is forbidden to

Stronger, more emphatic prohibition.

must not

Indicates prohibition rather than inability.

is out of the question

Idiomatic expression indicating impossibility or unacceptability.

is not an option

Indicates that something is not a viable choice.

it is beyond my ability to

Highlights a personal lack of capability.

FAQs

How to use "cannot" in a sentence?

"Cannot" is used to indicate that something is not possible or is not allowed. For example, "I cannot attend the meeting" or "You cannot enter without permission".

What's the difference between "cannot" and "can't"?

"Cannot" and "can't" are essentially the same, with "can't" being a contraction of "cannot". "Can't" is more informal, while "cannot" is generally preferred in formal writing.

What can I say instead of "cannot"?

You can use alternatives like "is not able to", "is unable to", or "must not" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cannot" or "can not"?

While "can not" is technically grammatically correct, "cannot" is the standard and preferred form when expressing inability or prohibition as a single concept.